Telepuk making a comeback, Negeri Sembilan's cultural revival

NILAI - Telepuk, a traditional female head accessory, is now rarely worn by the Malay women of Negeri Sembilan except at ceremonial events involving their respective clans.

Consisting of a batik cloth tied around the head, the telepuk is worn only to complement the official traditional attire of the ‘Ibu Soko’, as the women leaders under the adat perpatih system are referred to. (Adat perpatih refers to the matrilineal customary practices observed by the Malays of Negeri Sembilan.)

Ibu Soko of Luak Gunung Pasir Suku Tanah Datar (one of the 12 clans of Negeri Sembilan) Salbiah Sharif said it is important for the Ibu Soko to wear the telepuk as it would ensure that this traditional accessory continues to remain relevant through the passage of time.

"In the past, women wore the telepuk whenever they left the house to go to the farm, padi field or forest. But now, it's rare to see, except at ceremonial events involving their respective clans," she told Bernama when met at the Perpatih Fest 2024 at Dataran Nilai here. The festival, which took place from July 27 to Aug 3, was organised by the Negeri Sembilan state government.

Salbiah, 57, also lauded the state government's efforts to uphold the traditional attire of Negeri Sembilan, saying such initiatives would not only boost the state’s tourism sector but also safeguard this heritage for future generations.

She said in conjunction with the Perpatih Fest, her Gunung Pasir clan set up a stall to promote their traditional food, among them being kuih koci, a must-have delicacy at community events.

"We also displayed the various traditional accessories used by our clan at our wedding ceremonies," she said.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Suku Anak Aceh Luak Gunung Pasir Seri Menanti clan Datuk Andika Sazali Mohd Salleh said they welcome all efforts to revive the wearing of telepuk.

"In the past, the women wore telepuk not only as a head accessory but also to protect themselves when they went into the forest. The telepuk was also used to carry the fruits and vegetables they picked from their farms,” he said.

The State Heritage, Technology, Innovation and Digital Action Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli said among the initiatives undertaken to uphold the culture and customs of the state at the grassroots level was the establishment of adat perpatih-related clubs in 18 primary and secondary schools in the state.

"Through these clubs, the younger generation is exposed to, among others, our traditional attire, thus empowering our heritage and customs,” he said.

During the Perpatih Fest 2024 at Dataran Nilai, a total of 1,002 women from Negeri Sembilan adorned the telepuk, earning them a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the highest number of telepuk wearers. - BERNAMA